JOSEON DYNASTY (18TH CENTURY)

In 1913, Asakawa initially relocated to Seoul as a teacher at Jinjo Elementary School. During his tenure as an educator, he developed a keen interest in Korean porcelains and embarked upon extensive research of old kilns in Korea. Asakawa's scholarly pursuits led him to publish books and curate exhibitions on Korean art, establishing himself as a pioneering figure in the rediscovery of the beauty of Joseon dynasty porcelains. His accomplishments were significant, and he served as an inspiration to generations of scholars, potters, and collectors, including the founder of the Minegi (Japanese Folk Crafts) movement, Yanagi Soetsu (1889-1961). Asakawa's aesthetic and vision of Korean art and culture continue to be widely admired by collectors, and numerous works from his collection are held in the collections of major museums in Japan including the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka. Asakawa describes about his first encounter with a moon jar in his book, Richo no toji (Ceramics of Joseon Dynasty) (Fujisawa City: Akaboshi Goro, 1956):
“One evening in Seoul, I came across a cluttered little antique shop and was immediately drawn to a round, white jar illuminated by a dim light. I was so captivated that I couldn't leave for a while”